Rotating T-Top for center console boat

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a top (commonly called a T-Top) for a center console boat providing protection form the sun and elements for passengers, which a) may be easily attached to existing metal (typically stainless steel) grab rails on the fiberglass console structures on the center of the vessel, b) may be lowered by rotating forward or rearward for storage or clearance under bridges by rotating forward or rearward about fixed pivot points by removing positioning pins or bolts, c) provides open access completely around the perimeter of the boat without straps or other contrivances attached to the gunwales or perimeter of the boat, d) may utilize optional gas spring assistance for raising and lowering and e) may provide mounting for optional removable windshield, fishing rod holders, gear net storage, sound speakers, navigation equipment, interior lights and spot lighting. The top shall be constructed of rigid metal, metal tubing or plastic tubing and covered with a flexible or rigid material for protection from the elements. Typical T-Top designs are “fixed”, and do not allow the top to be lowered. Other “removable” T-Tops either a) must be lifted from the vessel (do not rotate) or require special mounting to the floor or fiberglass structure of the vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application No. 60/835,946 issued Aug. 7, 2006,Applicant Ross Arthur Johnson SSN 495-58-9033. patent application Ser.No. 11/881,549 issues Jul. 27, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Center console boats (boats having a center mounted steering helmstructure) provide ease of access to the perimeter of the vessel forfishing and boating activities. Current methods for providing a top forprotection from the sun and elements involve a rigid T-shaped “T-top”affixed to the center of the vessel providing a clear perimeter, or afolding “Bimini top” affixed to the gunwales which can be easily loweredbut interferes with the clear access to the perimeter of the boat.

The T shaped top, commonly referred to as a T-top, is a rigid tubularstructure affixed permanently to the vessel by bolting to the structure,which provides shade and mounting for equipment. It has emerged as apopular solution providing protection from the sun and the elements,without external straps and brackets extending to the vessel's gunwales.The T-Top, however, is rigidly mounted and does not allow for the vesselto fit in garages or under low bridges.

Another popular solution, commonly referred to as a Bimini top, is aframe extending from gunwale to gunwale with a canvas covering on it,held in place by straps or tubes with release pins attached to thegunwales. The Bimini top can be lowered, but lacks rigidity forpassengers to hold onto or for mounting gear. The Bimini top interfereswith fishing and boating activities, as the frame, straps and otherbrackets or tubing are attached around the perimeter of the vessel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a top for a center console boat providingprotection from the sun and elements for passengers, clear access to theboats gunwales, ease of installation and ease of lowering by rotatingforward (FIG. 1) or rearward (FIG. 2) for storage or clearance forbridges and overpasses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The drawing includes two separate solutions:

FIG. 1—Forward Rotating version, pivots forward on two (2) pivot points

FIG. 2—Rearward Rotating version, pivots rearward as a 4-bar mechanismor rotating linkage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides the convenience of a T-Top for fishing, boatingactivities and structural rigidity along with the ability to quickly andeasily lower the top to provide vertical clearance for the vessel to fitin a garage or under a bridge by removing quick release pins or boltsand rotating forward or rearward about fixed pivot points mounted toexisting tubular railing structure on the center console structure ofthe vessel. In addition, installation requires no drilling ormodifications to the existing structure, and can be done quickly by theaverage boat owner.

This invention provides a top for a center console boat providingprotection form the sun and elements for passengers, which:

-   -   a) shall be attached to existing metal (typically stainless        steel) railings on the fixed center console structure of the        center of the vessel using clamp-on fittings which may be easily        installed by the average vessel owner,    -   b) may be lowered by removing two (2) or more quick release pins        or bolts and rotating forward (FIG. 1) or rearward (FIG. 2)        about fixed pivot points attached to existing structure with        clamp-on fittings for storage or clearance under bridges,    -   c) provides open access completely around the perimeter of the        boat without straps or other contrivances attached to the        gunwales or perimeter of the boat,    -   d) may utilize optional gas spring assistance for raising and        lowering and    -   e) may provide mounting for optional removable windshield,        fishing rod holders, gear net storage, sound speakers,        navigation equipment, interior lights and spot lighting,    -   f) shall be constructed of rigid metal, metal tubing or plastic        tubing and covered with a flexible or rigid material for        protection from the elements.

1. A boat top, intended to provide protection of the occupants of acenter console type boat from the elements of sun, wind and rain,comprising a) a frame that is sufficiently rigid and stable to allow thevessel to be operated safely at normal operating, planning speeds; b)mounted to the vessel by affixing pivot points with removable pins orbolts to the vessel's existing center console railing structure; c)which requires no holes be drilled in or through or otherwise modifyingthe existing vessel's core structure (fiberglass, wood or aluminum) forthe purpose of mounting the top; d) which requires no mounting straps orbrackets affixed to the perimeter of the vessel; e) which allows the topto be removed or rotated forward or rearward to allow the vessel toreturn to its original height (prior to installing the top) to providemore vertical clearance for storage in garages, storage buildings, drystacks or passage beneath low bridges or under trees; f) and provides amounting point for accessories such as windshields, spray shields,lights, rod holders, and antennas.